Why is top talent fleeing Yahoo? Not because of Microsoft. BoomTown reports that back in late 2006, Yahoo launched "Project Engage," which included handing out retention packages full of option grants and restricted stocks units (RSUs). And guess what: Those packages didn't fully vest until February 2. That's the day after Microsoft announced its bid, sending Yahoo's shares skyrocketing just in time. Could Microsoft have timed its bid any better to bleed Yahoo? Says one Yahoo executive: "Everyone was just biding their time for the RSU to vest," one Yahoo exec said. "The Microsoft bid just gives everyone an excuse to leave." (Photo by cmccartney)

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